Comcast, Big Ten squabble over money

And it looks like Comcast won't be carrying the new network that was designed to feature sports from Big Ten universities, including Purdue.

In January, 69,000 Insight cable television, Internet and phone service customers in the Lafayette-Attica-Kokomo markets and surrounding areas will become Comcast customers. So this remains a big deal to many customers, especially local sports fans who are impassioned Big Ten supporters.

But while some may see the Big Ten as David to Comcast's Goliath, that's overly simplistic -- and wrong.

This is about money -- lots of it -- and who is going to have to give up the most leverage in this deal.

The Big Ten network wants to attract advertisers, of course, so it makes sense it would want to be offered on Comcast's basic cable subscription. That's where the channel will get the most viewers.

On the other hand, Comcast doesn't want to have to eat, or pass on, the $1.10 per customer cost of the channel to all its basic subscribers. Officials argue that those wanting the Big Ten network should be willing to pay for it. Comcast wants to offer the channel as a part of its premium sports package, which currently costs $4.95 and is an add-on to the more expensive digital cable packages.

The Big Ten network is a Boilermaker's paradise. Football fanatics and basketball buffs will be able pick up a variety of games during the year. Interviews with athletes and coaches, features on universities and other goodies are just the icing on the top of a cake that looks, at first glance, as if it's a must-have delicacy.

But dig a bit deeper into the Big Ten network's programming schedule and details emerge. Yes, it is scheduling about 380 live events, including about 40 football games and 120 men's basketball games played by the Purdue Boilermakers and the 10 other teams in the conference.

But the big games -- the games everyone lives for -- will be on national television. ESPN picked up Boilermakers interconference football games against the likes of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan State. Comcast customers receive ESPN when signed up for Comcast's "standard" cable plan. At about $50 a month, the plan is a step above the least expensive, most limited package.

Other important conference games will be on network television.

It's hard to see why Comcast should pass on the cost of a channel marketed to a narrow demographic to those with no interest in Big Ten sports. (It may be hard to believe, but such people exist, even in Greater Lafayette.)

But it's not hard to understand that the bottom line in this cable controversy has nothing to do with Big Ten loyalties.

Like many such disputes, this one is all about the money.

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Comcast, Big Ten squabble over money

On Thursday, the Big Ten network will begin broadcasting.And it looks like Comcast won't be carrying the new network that was designed to feature sports from Big Ten universities, including Purdue.In